Category: Obituaries

Robert Lee “R.L.” Qualls, age 61 of McMinnville, Tennessee and former Manchester resident, passed away on March 25, 2012 at the River Park Hospital in McMinnville.

Mr. Qualls was a U.S. Army Vietnam Veteran and former Batesville Casket Company employee. He will be fondly remembered as one who loved to fish, go to flea markets and tell a good joke.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Robert L. Qualls and Hester Lee Willford Qualls.

He is survived by his wife, Sheri A. Shupe Qualls of McMinnville, TN; sister, Hazel Lucille Wochna of Manchester, TN; step-children, Stephanie Hicks (Brandon) of Manchester,   Robert J. Arthur (Amanda) of McMinnville  and Andrea Maxin (Alonzo) of McMinnville; three grandchildren, Autumn Wren Hicks, Zajyra Maxin  and Cherish Maxin; niece, Stephanie Acup of Lakewood, CA; great niece, Holly McDonald; great nephew, Wyatt Acup; aunts, Ozel Jones of Beech Grove, TN,    Hazel Willford and Dolly Mae Walden both of Manchester; several cousins; and a host of friends.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, March 28, 2012 from 12:00 (Noon)  until 3:00 p.m.

The Funeral Service will follow the visitation at 3:00 p.m. from the Chapel of Central Funeral Home with Brother Dennis Hampton officiating.

Burial will follow at the Welker Cemetery in the New Union Community.

Arrangements with CENTRAL FUNERAL HOME of Manchester, TN.

 James Willard Marquis, Jr., age 56 of Hillsboro, Tennessee, passed away on March 21, 2012 at the Harton Regional Medical Center in Tullahoma.

He was born on October 3, 1955 in Memphis, Tennessee to his parents, the late James Willard Marquis and Eloise Elmore Marquis.

He is survived by his wife, Jessica Y. South Marquis; children, Lori Dumas,  James Marquis III  and Jon Paul Marquis; brother, Tim Marquis; sister, Diane Hill; and a host of other relatives and friends.

No local services are scheduled.

Arrangements with CENTRAL FUNERAL HOME of Manchester, TN.

Mrs. Katrina (Katherine) Malesh Kruger Blondin, age 91, of Tullahoma, passed away Saturday at Life Care Center in Tullahoma.

Born on December 7, 1920 in Sanburg, Saskatchewan, Canada, she was the third daughter born to the late William and Mary Malesh Kruger. She had five brothers, one sister, two step brothers and three step-sisters. In addition to her parents she is also preceded in death by her husband, Bruno J. Blondin, daughter, Shirley Ellen Dobbins, one sister, three brothers, three step-sisters and two step-brothers.

She was a Canadian Army Veteran of World War II, a Nurse for several years and was a member of St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Tullahoma.

She is survived by a brother and sister in British Columbia, one brother and sister in law in Saskatchewan, two daughters, Bonnalee (Bonnie) Blondin of Winchester, Louise Davis of Franklin, and one son, Chris (Viki) Blondin of Tullahoma. She has five grandchildren, Sabrina Sellick of Maryville, TN, Eric (Kristin) Davis of Franklin, Sara Hewitt of Nashville, David Dobbins of Dunlap, Michael Blondin of Tullahoma, and one step-grandson, Tony (Valerie) Throneberry of Cookeville. In addition she has six great grandchildren, Alivia Hoffman of Maryville, Ethan and Ryan Davis of Franklin, Gabriel and Taylor Dobbins of Hixson, and Elizabeth Throneberry of Cookville.

Pallbearers include her grandsons, step-grandson and family friends. The Family request donations be made to the Multi-County Cancer Support Network.

Visitation with the family will be Tuesday, from 10:00AM until 11:00AM at the St. Paul’s Catholic Church.

Services will be conducted Tuesday at 11:00AM at the St. Paul’s Catholic Church.

Burial will follow in the Franklin Memorial Gardens.

Tullahoma Funeral Home in charge of arrangements.

Mrs. Della Lynn Cruthchfield Sharp 59, of Winchester, TN passed Saturday, March 24, 2012 at St.Thomas Hospital in Nashville.

She was  born January 3, 1953 to James and Willie M. Crutchfield.

She was a 1970 graduate from Tullahoma High School.  She attended Motlow College and MTSU where she earned degrees in education.  She taught in the Wilson County School System for 13 years.  She was employed at Tullahoma High School for 23 years where she taught special education.

She was preceded in death by an infant sister, Deborah and her father, James Crutchfield. Sr. 

She is survived by daughter, Tonisha Sharp; son, Michael Sharp, and grandson, Gavin;  mother, Willie Mae Crutchfield; two sisters, Emma (Jimmy) Coleman of Tullahoma and Toni London of Estill Springs, TN; three brothers, James (Sonja) Crutchfield, Jr,  Odell (Tracy) Crutchfield both of Tullahoma, TN, and Frank (Norma) Crutchfield of Chattanooga, TN; great aunt, Mattie Harris of Tulllahoma. Host of neices, nephews, and other relatives and friends.

Visitation will be Tuesday, March 27, 2012 from 6-7pm at J.A. Welton & Son Funeral Home.  

She will lie in state Wednesday, March 28, 2012  from 1:00-2:00 pm with Funeral Services to follow  at 2:00 pm at  Mt. Zion Baptist Church with Moderator Elmore Torbert, Jr officiating and Pastor Ronald Forrester as Eulogist. 

Interment Evergreen Cemetery.

Mt. Zion Baptist Church
301 South Washington Street
Tullahoma,TN  377388

J.A. Welton & Son Funeral Home in charge of  arrangements.

J.W. Throneberry, 81, of Tullahoma, passed this life on Saturday, March 24th, 2012 at his residence after an short illness.

Born in Coffee County to the late Fonzie and Beatrice Holt Throneberry.

Mr. Throneberry worked as a carpenter for L.L. Poe Construction, was a former member of The National Guard, and was a member of The Hickerson Station Church of Christ.

In addition to his parents, Mr. Throneberry is preceded in death by his first wife, Bertha Mae Davis Throneberry; one sister, Evangeline Woods; and one brother, Fonzie B. Throneberry Jr.

He is survived by his wife, Nellie Throneberry of Tullahoma; two sons, Joe Throneberry and his wife Donna of Beech Grove, and Rick Throneberry and his wife Becky of Tullahoma; two daughters, Penny Moore and her husband Jimmy of Tullahoma, and Sheila Diane Throneberry of Nashville; two step sons, Ted Carter and his wife Jeannie of Manchester, and Terry Carter and his wife Kimberly of Rutledge Hill; 14 grandchildren, Tony and Tyler Throneberry, Matthew Throneberry, Bridgett Pfleegor, Josh Moore, Brandon Carter, Steven Carter, Kevin Carter, Adam Carter, Ashley Owens, Lyndsay Carter, Whitney Carter, Elisha Carter and Michaela Carter; and seven great-grandchildren, Elizabeth, Corvin Luke, Riley, Kason, Lillie, Brodie and Zoie.

Visitation for Mr. Throneberry will be on Monday, March 26th, 2012 from 5:00-9:00pm at Kilgore Funeral Home.

Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, March 27th, 2012 at 1:00pm in the Kilgore Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Roy Wright officiating.

Burial will follow at Payne’s Chapel Cemetery in Franklin County.

For those who wish, the family suggests that donations be made to The Multi-County Cancer Support Network at P.O. Box 1355, Tullahoma, TN 37388.

Kilgore Funeral in charge of arrangements.

Funeral services for Mr. Wayne Featherston, age 68 of Manchester will be conducted Wednesday, March 28, 2012 at 2:00 PM at Coffee  County Funeral Chapel with Brother Pat Allison and Mr. David Wiley officiating. 

Burial with Honors provided by the Tennessee State Troopers will follow at Manchester City Cemetery. 

Visitation will be held Tuesday, March 27, 2012 from 5:00 PM-9:00 PM at the funeral home. 

Mr. Featherston passed away Saturday, March 24, 2012 in Manchester. 

He was born January 4, 1944 in Coffee County, TN the son of the late L.H. Featherston and Beulah Burger Featherston.  He graduated from Central High School in 1962 and then attended Middle TN State University. Wayne then worked construction for a brief time and in 1964 joined the United States Army.  In 1971 he joined the TN State Troopers.  During this time he served as Trooper, a member of the SWAT Team as well as serving as Chief of Security for Governor Ned McWhorter.  He retired as a Captain after 20 plus years of dedicated service. Upon retirement, he served as Chief Deputy for Sumner County Sheriff’s Department for several years.  Wayne enjoyed hunting, fishing and sports.  He was a member of the Church of Christ.

Survivors include his sister, Glenna Poff and husband, Kenneth of Manchester; brother, Jim Featherston and wife, Jan of Manchester;  brother, Larry Featherston;  five nieces and nephews, Jeffery Wayne Featherston, James David Featherston and wife, Shannon, Kevin Poff and wife Simonne, Brent Poff and wife, Gina and Lori Watson and husband, Nelson.

Serving as Pallbearers will be members of the Tennessee State Troopers and Honorary PallBearers will be Sumner County Law Enforcement Officers and friends as well as Stan Gwaltney, Ed Jennings, Ricky Templeton, Chris Bryant, Ron Parker and Sheriff Sonny Weatherford and Mark Fagen.

Coffee County Funeral Chapel in charge of arrangements

Funeral services for Mrs. Phyllis Morris Niles, age 77of Manchester will be conducted Tuesday, March 27, 2012 at 11:00 AM from the First United Methodist Church in Manchester with Rev. Neal Glass officiating.

Burial will follow at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens.

Visitation will be Monday, March 26, 2012 from 5:00-8:00 PM at the funeral home.

Mrs. Niles passed away Saturday, March 24, 2012 in Manchester.

She was born June 25, 1934 in Wood County, West Virginia the daughter of the late Chester Leroy Morris and Nina Isabelle Melrose Morris.

She married B.A. Niles in 1955 and they moved to Manchester in 1958 from Sparta, TN.  She was a devoted registered nurse having worked in several hospitals, including Coffee County Hospital, currently United Reg. Medical Center in Manchester.  She taught the LPN Program to new nursing students in McMinnville for over 16 years.  She was a committed volunteer for Contact Life Line for over 20 years having logged over 3000 hours to assist those in need.  More recently, she enjoyed going to Bluegrass festivals with her husband and traveling.  She loved to watch hummingbirds in her yard as well as her beloved blue birds.  She was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church where she was also a member of the Upper Room Sunday School Class.

 In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by a son, Eric Niles in 2005 and a step- grandchild, Perry Flowers.

Survivors include her loving husband of 57 years, B.A. Niles of Manchester; son, Alan Niles also of Manchester and daughter Cindy Belew of Cleveland, TN; four grandchildren, Eric Niles, Jr., Annie Niles, Rachel Belew, Christopher Belew and a step-granddaughter, Misty Lucas.  Also surviving is her brother, Buford E. Morris of Savannah, TN and special family friends Ann Stevenson and Ann Moore.

The family requests memorial contributions in memory of Mrs. Niles be made to the American Cancer Society or to the Charity of one’s choice.

Coffee County Funeral Chapel is in charge of arrangements.

Funeral services for Mrs. Melody “Gay” Welch, age 65 of the Asbury Community of Coffee County, will be conducted at 1:00pm, Wednesday, March 28 at the Manchester Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Gary Bell officiating.

Burial will follow in the Asbury Cemetery.

Visitation with the Welch family will be from 4pm until 9pm, Tuesday evening at the Manchester Funeral Home.

Mrs. Welch passed away Sunday morning at the Harton Regional Medical Center in Tullahoma.

Mrs. Welch was born in Coffee County, the daughter of the late Robert Love Willis and Allie Howell Willis.   She was a homemaker and attended the Baptist Church.  Mrs. Welch loved working with children and served as a 4H leader for many years and was the President of the Asbury FCE (home demonstration) Club for over 15 years.  Mrs. Welch is survived by:

Her loving husband of 47 years, Jimmy Welch of the Asbury Community
3 sons-Chris (Donna) Welch of the Asbury Community
Jason (Angela) Welch of Lafayette, Tennessee
Eric Welch of the Asbury Community
1 sister- Mrs. Ann (Jerry) Lendley of Tullahoma
5 grandchildren, Christen Welch, Abi Welch, Cameron Welch, Kathryn Welch and Ethan Welch.

FOR THOSE WHO WITH TO MAKE MEMORIAL DONATIONS, THE FAMILY SUGGESTS “The American Diabetes Association”

Manchester Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.